The Civil War Paintings of Mort Künstler Volume 1: Fort Sumter to Antietam - Hardcover

by Mort Künstler (Author)

For nearly thirty years, Mort Kunstler has focused his considerable artistic talent on interpreting the Civil War. In crafting his work to reflect poignant moments or critical circumstances of the conflict, he has turned to leading historians and scholars for informative details that he has then translated on canvas to create an indelible image of this defining ordeal in America's history. More than 160 of these images?supplemented by preliminary sketches, early studies, and photographs of works in progress?are the basis for this book. Kunstler has also explored the human side of this national struggle. Thus he has produced thoughtful studies of leaders at decisive moments, instances of daily camp life for the soldiers, and those early romantic notions that it would be a bloodless war, predicated on the belief that a show of inner strength would prevail. In the past twenty years, Kunstler's portfolio has been published in twelve books, including companion pieces for the epic films ?Ge

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For nearly thirty years, Mort Künstler has focused his considerable artistic talent on interpreting the Civil War. Relying on leading historians and scholars, he translates the details of their work onto canvas to create an indelible image of this defining ordeal in American history.

The Civil War Paintings of Mort Künstler presents more than 160 Civil War paintings in four volumes that parallel the history of the war. This first volume covers the period from the firing on Fort Sumter in April 1861 to the battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg) in September 1862. During this time, people of the North and the South slowly began to understand that this would not be a short conflict but rather a war the likes of which the world had never known.

The confidence with which the Confederate states began their fight for independence is seen in Künstler's Moonlight and Magnolias, Blessing of the Sword, Charleston--Autumn 1861, and Guns of Autumn. The hard realities of the war can be seen in his Winds of Winter, The Fight at Fallen Timbers, ". . .They Were Soldiers Indeed," With a Rebel Yell, and "Raise the Colors and Follow Me."

History comes alive in Künstler's paintings. His portrayal of the war through images of people and events brings dimension and character to them. Whether the subjects of these works are field commanders or men in the ranks, his brush conveys their battlefield courage, their stamina in the field, and their devotion to their leaders and their causes.